Managing to Find Joy

By Luciana

In this letter from the Essential Words lesson, a sophomore at South High School in Minneapolis gives thanks to Children’s Hospital employees.

Level

Grade 10

Type

Narrative, Persuasive

Dear Children’s Hospital employees,

Thank you! I want to start by saying how eternally grateful I am for you all, especially during this time. I went to the Children’s Hospital a lot as a child, and it holds a special place in my heart. You all are so courageous for healing others and working in the “front lines”! Work hours must be crazy. Thank you for making the world a better, healthier place one day at a time! Everyone out there is amazed by you all and what you all are doing, and I hope you all know that! Thank you for taking care of our siblings, cousins, grandparents, uncles, aunts, friends, coworkers, etc. who have been affected by the virus, and continuing to help others who have not. The world is grateful to have your care and help at this trying time. I hope you all are managing to find joy in something, even with all of the stress and sickness happening right now! Thank you all for everything that you do!

Best,

Luciana, sophomore at South High School in Minneapolis

From this lesson

Grades 4–12

Informational, Narrative, Persuasive

Essential Words: Letters of Gratitude to Essential Workers

by Cristeta Boarini, 826MSP, and Skylar Burkhardt, 826 National

Lesson Summary

Few expressions of gratitude are more meaningful than a personalized letter. In this lesson, students reach out to essential workers and return their acts of service and kindness by giving thanks.

See more Student Writing at this level

Grade 10

Narrative, Persuasive

I Can Only Imagine

by Tala, Grade 10, 826 MSP

Writing Sample Summary

In this letter from the Essential Words lesson, 10th grader Tala asks essential workers what motivates them to keep going during these difficult times, offering her own views on hope for the future.

Grade 10

Poetry

What Is Freedom?

by Regina, 826LA

Writing Sample Summary

From the forthcoming anthology, Poets in Revolt!, this poem expresses the realization that a cage is not the only obstacle to a bird's freedom.